SO.....VERY.....TIRED

All I can say is, "WOW! This Leadership Conference really kicked my butt!"  It was by far, the best Stampin' Up event I've ever attended, but it was non-stop the entire time.  I thought I would be able to blog about the events on Friday, but we got back to our room late and I was pooped.  Saturday was the long drive home, and it was great to recap the fun with my carpool buddies Dawn & Susan.  The family must have missed me because they wanted my undivided attention when I got home.  Luckily my husband let me sleep in on Sunday morning, then I had Stamp Club this afternoon.

Here are a few more photos from my trip and of the beautiful resort:

 

My roommates, Kathy and Colleen, who kept me up way too late each night!  I still adore them both.
 

I loved these hot air balloons and seeing them float through the sky.
 

One of the many beautiful water features within the resort.
 
Palm trees.....nothing like the feeling of a simulated tropical vacation.

I've got lots of projects to share, but I need to take some more photos and do a bunch of editing.  If by any chance, you are thinking about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, be sure to check out my FACEBOOK page as I have posted details about a FREE Starter Kit for a business-minded demonstrator.  There are a few stipulations, but this is a wonderful opportunity for the right person.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Having Fun in Nashville

 
I am having a blast at Leadership training in Nashville.  On Wednesday, managers & above boarded buses to go to the Wild Horse Saloon.  We enjoyed a great Southern-style meal (pulled pork, beef brisket, mashed potatoes--YUM), and then music from Dave Robbins & Brother Trouble.  They even taught us to line dance!

The saloon had lots of "horses" that I posed with for pictures.  They even had horses upside down on ceiling!  At the end of the night, we received a new stamp set.  Once I get it inked up, I can share some samples.  Here is a quick snapshot of my Night in Nashville:

On Thursday, there were classes in the morning and a general session in the afternoon with many exciting announcements.  I'm very impressed with all of the changes that Stampin' Up is making for its demonstrators.  I absolutely LOVE this company!!!

I did manage to get in some swapping.  I forgot to take a picture of my swap card before I left home, so you'll just have to forgive the quality of this picture---:0)

 In the evening, we were served a nice sit-down dinner.  Sorry.....I was hungry and didn't stop to take pictures of the food.  It was good in case you were wondering. 

We had a little bit of time before the party in the evening, so we decided to explore the resort.  It is AMAZING and I've only seen a little bit of it.  Every evening, they have a water, music, and light show.  My pictures don't do it justice, so I'll try to upload some video later. The party kicked off with a challenge to use limited supplies to create cards for the Ronald McDonald house.  Then, as a group, we had to create a card that would be entered into a contest.  Shelly, the co-founder of Stampin' Up will be selecting the winners tomorrow.  I'm not sure what criteria she'll be using, but our card wasn't bad.  Keep your fingers crossed that we win!

Then there were product demonstrations, displays, and shopping!  Two of my stamping buddies even won prizes, so it was a good night. 

Needless to say, I am pooped.  It's time to get a good night's sleep before another day of festivities. 

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

 

 

Hooray!  I just arrived in Nashville, TN for Leadership and I'm so ready for some stampin' fun!  I always like to take notes at Stampin' Up events and this year I really wanted something stylish that I could keep with me throughout the year.  There is a new option for making a journal on My Digital Studio and I decided that designing my own journal would definitely fit the bill.

All you have to do is design the front and back covers.  When you order the journal, you can select the color of your "end pages".  I chose Real Red and I was delighted to see that it is actually a very small polka dot pattern.  You'll also have the ability to add lettering to the spine of the journal.  It's hard to see, but mine says "Melissa Stout, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator".  The pages are lined, so it will be perfect for note-taking.

Be sure to visit my Stampin' UP website to view the latest downloads for My Digital Studio.  They just keep adding new ones!  And did you know that you can use these downloads in other programs such as Photoshop?  If you want more information, ideas, and tutorials, visit www.mydigitalstudio.net.  It is great online community devoted exclusively to all things My Digital Studio.

It's almost time to get ready for the Manager's Reception, but I'll be back later with more fun projects.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

 

January Newsletter is Available

 
If you subscribe to my newsletters, you should receive the January newsletter in your Inbox today.  Not only is it "Filled with Love", but you'll also find great project ideas, information on Sale-a-Bration, and my upcoming class schedule. 

Want to check it out?  Click here to view my January newsletter.  If you like what you see, sign up for my newsletters on that page and you'll be receiving them on a regular basis (3 or 4 per month maximum).

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

 

Last-Minute Mojo

 I couldn't put the Easter Blossoms stamp set away without stamping a few more cards.  Today's card was created using the Mojo Monday sketch.  I kept the colors neutral for a very soft, feminine look.  I especially love the Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon and the Vintage Flower Adornment. 

   Stamp Set:  Easter Blossoms

  Ink:  Crumb Cake

  Paper:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Neutrals DSP

  Accessories:  Big Shot, Circles #2 Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Pearls, Vintage Flower Adornment, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon

 

I'll be leaving for Leadership conference on Wednesday and I'm busily finishing up my swaps.  Most of my posts this week will be short & sweet, but I've still got some great projects to share.  Stay tuned.....

Melissa

 

So ready for Spring already....

Don't get  me wrong, freshly fallen snow is BEAUTIFUL, but I've had enough already.  Bring on the sunshine and warmer weather.  I'm ready for it.  Unfortunately, I live in Indiana and it doesn't usually start to warm up until May.  I'll just have to be patient and stamp some Spring cards. 

I absolutely fell in love with the Easter Blossoms stamp set when I saw it in the Occasions Mini catalog.  Then, I stumbled across a challenge from Our Creative Corner that I just had to give a try.

"Thank You is the theme of our challenge this week, but with a twist. We want you to use a blue and cream color palette and add metal and vellum to your creation."

 

SUPPLIES

Stamp Sets:  Easter Blossoms, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Not Quite Navy

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper, Vellum Cardstock, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Ovals Die, Crochet Trim, Jewelry Tag Punch, Antique Brad

To order Stampin' Up products, visit my Stampin' Up! website:  http://stampdoc.stampinup.net

 

 



Back to High School

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of teaching Mrs. Wickert's class at Faith Christian School some fun stamping and scrapbooking techniques.  First of all, let me just say......my high school was never this cool!  The young adults in this class went on a field trip to Archiver's and Michaels, plus they get to spend the next two weeks learning all they can about scrapbooking.  They call this program a J Term and I think it is a wonderful idea!  You can read more about it here.

I provided the class with make & take projects consisting of a 2-page 12" x 12" layout and a simple birthday card.  I'll share the layout with you in a future post, after I finish adding my own pictures.  The students were so attentive and very creative.  Their projects turned out great, as you can see below.
 

The card  we made features the new Create a Cupcake stamp set and coordinating Build a Cupcake punch.  It only took us about 5 minutes to make this card and we all loved the results!  Be sure to check out the red glitter heart.....we punched the heart from the red glimmer paper.  You have to get some of this paper!  It's glitter, with all the glitz but no mess.
 
SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Create a Cupcake

Ink:  Early Espresso

Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, Neutrals DSP, Red Glimmer Paper

Accessories:  Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Build a Cupcake Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

 

   

  To order Stampin' Up products, visit my Stampin' Up! website.